OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at presenting the fundamental principles of earthquake phenomenology. In particular, the course will examine the relation between seismicity and faults, as they are both the results of the same dynamic process. Basics of rheology, rock fracturing, fault growing, and seismic deformation will be introduced.  The course will also focus on seismotectonics. Seismic activity in different geodynamic settings will be discussed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The scope of the course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the phenomenology behind seismic process. The topics discussed during the lessons will allow understanding why, where, and when earthquakes occur. 

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and classroom exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Rock fracturing and faults: rheology of rocks and Earth’s lithosphere; fracturing criteria and fault growing; effects of fluids on faulting; fault population; fault dynamics (stick-slip model and elastic rebound).

2) Mechanics of earthquakes: seismic waves; earthquake magnitude; seismic moment and energy; fault interaction in the seismic process (computer exercise on Coulomb stress transfer); scaling law in seismology.

3) Seismotectonics: role of geology, geodesy, and seismology to evaluate seismic deformation; seismic sequences and earthquake clustering; seismicity and geodynamics (e.g., subduction zone seismicity, oceanic earthquakes; intra-plate seismicity); seismic activity in the Mediterranean; earthquakes and tsunamis.

3) Basics of prediction and forecasting: meaning of short-, medium-, and long-term earthquake forecasting; earthquake precursors.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scholz, C. H. The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting. Cambridge University Press (2002)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONE BARANI (President)

GABRIELE FERRETTI

DANIELE SPALLAROSSA

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

Exam schedule